Happy birthday, Magic Johnson! Check out these historic photos from the legend's career

Seldom will you find a lifetime more packed with achievement and fortune than Magic Johnson's.

Originating as a basketball prodigy, currently a barrier-crushing businessman and overcoming unfathomable amounts of adversity along the way, Johnson has become one of the pinnacle role models in all of sports.

On his 56th birthday, we take a look back on the illustrious and ever-evolving career of the NBA legend and entrepreneur.

Click through the gallery above to relive Magic's finest moments, encapsulating all-around greatness and triumph. Be sure to also hit the video below for a mini biography.

PHOTOS: Magic Johnson's legendary career

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Magic Johnson's career

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Happy birthday, Magic Johnson! Check out these historic photos from the legend's career

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO, TX - CIRCA 1983: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes in for a lay-up against the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at HemisFair Arena in San Antonio, Texas. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

INGLEWOOD, CA - 1986: Earvin 'Magic' Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 1986 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: Copyright NBAE 2003 (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

BOSTON - 1987: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Danny Ainge #44 of the Boston Celtics during the 1987 NBA Finals circa 1987 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachussetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

1988: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles down the court during an NBA game circa 1988. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)

Guard Earvin (Magic) Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.

CHICAGO, IL - 1988: Kareem Abdul Jabbar #33 and Magic Johnson #32 of the Western Conference All Stars sit on the bench during the 1988 NBA All-Star Game on February 7, 1988 at the Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Guard Earvin (Magic) Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot during a game.

PORTLAND, OR - CIRCA 1990: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Portland Trailblazers circa 1990 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1990 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - 1988: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers rebounds against the Seattle Supersonics at the Seattle Coliseum in Seattle, Washington circa 1988. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Magic Johnson #32 smiles and talks to reporters after the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at Orlando Arena on February 9, 1992 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Jon Soohoo/NBAE via Getty Images)

Earvin 'MAGIC' Johnson December 10, 1993.

(Photo by Marcus Brandt/Bongarts/Getty Images)

INGLEWODD, CA - MARCH 27: Los Angeles Lakers head coach Magic Johnson looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27, 1994 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jon Soohoo/NBAE via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 10: Former Los Angeles Lakers player Earvin 'Magic' Johnson stands in front of the 12-screen movie theatre that he built and financed during the theatre's grand opening 10 July. 'Magic Theatres,' which is located in the Crenshaw area of Los Angeles, is 60,000 square feet and seats some 3,700 people. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read DAN GROSHONG/AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - 1996: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for a layup against the Miami Heat during the NBA game at the Forum in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

PHOENIX - 1997: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns meet at center court during the NBA game in Phoenix, Arizona NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by NBA Photo Library/NBAE via Getty Images)

348127 06: Former NBA star Earvin 'Magic' Johnson laughs at a press conference March 23, 1999 in New York City. Announcing plans to open a Magic Johson Theater in Brooklyn, NY, Johnson continues on his quest to improve the quality of inner-city life through his chain of state-of-the-art movie theaters. (Photo by Porter Gifford/Liaison)

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Magic Johnson (right) shakes the hand of new Dodger pitcher Zack Greinke (middle) at a press conference announcing Greinke's signing at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on December 11, 2012. At left is Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti. The right-handed, former Cy Young Award winner agreed to a six-year contract. Greinke, 29, will enter his 10th Major League season in 2013 after pitching for the Royals (2004-10), Brewers (2011-12) and Angels (2012) during the course of his careeer. (Photo by Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: (L-R) Tom Verducci, Madison Bumgarner, Magic Johnson and Boomer Esiason attend the Sportsman Of The Year 2014 Ceremony on December 9, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 20: Former Michigan State Spartans basketball player and NBA All Star, Magic Johnson (C), reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Michigan State won 70-63. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)